Director of Development

Sep 15

Pike Place Market Foundation
Seattle, WA

Anticipated Start Date: November 2026

Description

As it defines its next chapter, a new Executive Director brings deep philanthropic connections and a strategic, data-driven mindset; the Board has capacity and appetite for growth; and the dedicated Development team is ready to build. As Director of Development, you'll shape PPMF's fundraising strategy, build and lead a high-performing team, and carry your own major donor relationships, growing the sustained partnerships that keep these services strong. If you bring fundraising experience and a strategic mind, and you want your work to make a visible difference in one of Seattle's most vibrant, beloved communities, read on and apply for this role. L

Responsibilities

The Director of Development will plan and deliver upon a robust revenue strategy with a total fundraising goal of about $5.5M. A key member of the senior leadership team, they will report to the Executive Director, hire two senior Officer positions, and lead a team of 7. They will approach fundraising as a shared endeavor, built on sustained relationships, community needs and core values rather than transactional gifts. More specifically, the Director of Development will:

LEAD DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND REVENUE GROWTH

- Develop and execute a comprehensive fund development strategy — spanning annual giving, major and planned gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and events — that drives sustained revenue growth across all portfolios.
Own the Development department's budget, optimizing resource allocation across strategies and tactics to maximize philanthropic return.
Partner with program staff to translate emerging community needs into compelling funding opportunities that align donor interests with mission priorities.
Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational planning and cross-functional decisions.

GROW AND LEAD THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Build, coach, and lead a diverse development team, setting clear goals, investing in professional growth, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Help to hire, onboard, and supervise two new gift officers, namely a major donor gift officer and a mid-level gift officer, as early as possible in the development director’s tenure.
Oversee Development operations — including CRM systems, gift processing, and data reporting — and manage contract resources such as the team's grant writer, while personally leading strategy and writing on complex, high-priority proposals.
Create alignment across fundraising functions and with partners across the organization to ensure a cohesive, values-centered donor experience.
Navigate performance management directly and honestly, providing regular feedback and addressing issues in a timely, respectful manner.

DRIVE MAJOR DONOR AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Personally manage a portfolio of major donors, prospects, and institutional partners, advancing major-gift, leadership-giving, and planned-giving opportunities.
Partner with the Executive Director and Board to cultivate, solicit, and steward significant gifts, including six-figure and transformational investments.
Serve as staff lead on the Board's revenue development committee, guiding fundraising focus and building a culture of philanthropy with the Board as active partners.
Oversee donor communications — appeals, campaign narratives, and impact stories — in partnership with the communications lead, personally leading content creation, as needed.
Serve as a visible, respected ambassador for the Foundation within the Market ecosystem and Seattle philanthropic community.

Requirements

We're looking for an experienced fundraising leader who will be genuinely energized by being part of the Pike Place Market Foundation community and eager to help it thrive. The ideal candidate is a conﬁdent, collaborative leader who thrives on building strong donor relationships, developing high-performing teams, and partnering closely with the Executive Director and Board to advance ambitious fundraising goals. They bring both the strategic vision to set a compelling development strategy and the hands-on skill to execute it; they are equally comfortable closing a major gift, coaching a team member, or standing before the Board.

This person brings:

Extensive senior-level fundraising leadership experience, with a track record of building diverse, sustainable fundraising plans and meeting ambitious, multi-year goals.
A track record of personally cultivating and closing major gifts, ideally in the six figures, and managing a robust donor portfolio.
Experience building and leading high-performing fundraising teams, with a genuine commitment to inclusive leadership and creating a culture where people from different backgrounds can do their best work.
Skilled at partnering with, and coaching as needed, executive leadership, Board members, and staff, including navigating differing perspectives and group dynamics with poise.
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning for the organization's budget.
A data-driven approach to fundraising strategy — using donor insights and performance metrics to shape decisions — paired with fluency in donor CRM systems and fundraising technology.
Excellent communication skills, with proven success crafting compelling appeals, campaign narratives, and donor communications.
omfort leading through change and ambiguity while maintaining fundraising momentum, exercising sound judgment in complex, fast-moving situations.

Also valuable, though not required:

Experience with capital or endowment campaigns, planned giving, or other major growth initiatives.
Established relationships within the Seattle philanthropic community and familiarity with the Pacific Northwest civic and nonprofit sector.
Background in human services, food access, healthcare, or related community impact work.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

The hiring range for this position is $125,000 – $150,000 annually, depending on experience and skills.

Placement within the range is based on factors such as relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and internal equity. Pike Place Market Foundation is committed to equitable and transparent compensation practices and conducts regular reviews to ensure alignment across the organization.

This is a full-time position requiring occasional weekend and evening work to run or attend meetings or events. The Director of Development should plan to work from the Foundation office 3 to 4 days a week and will frequently need to meet with partners or donors in person at the Market or in other locations in the general area.

At Pike Place Market Foundation, we care about supporting the well-being of our team both at work and beyond.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including:

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance.
Employee Assistance Program with confidential counseling, wellness resources, legal support, financial guidance, and family care referrals.
Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care expenses.
Access to voluntary dependent medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Voluntary pet insurance.
Transportation benefits.
Paid time off and holidays. Specific benefit offerings and eligibility requirements are subject to plan terms and may change over time.

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

About the Organization

For more than 40 years, the Pike Place Market Foundation has served the people of the Market through our mission to nurture a thriving Market community where all can live their best possible lives. We fund essential services — healthcare, food access, childcare and early learning, senior services, and emergency assistance — for the people who live, work, learn, and create here. Our work is grounded in collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and community impact. 

WOC is not responsible for the content of job postings.